Reports
including research, analysis, policy recommendations, and surveys done by Sex Matters
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Digital verification services
– how the government can solve the problem about sex (or else sleepwalk into chaos)
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The Cass Review – initial analysis
The Cass Review of gender-identity services for children and young people has published its final report and recommendations. Sex Matters says: This is a breakthrough. It’s a huge step forward, with multiple implications that will be hugely consequential.
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WPATH in the UK
A list of organisations in the UK influenced by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and lobby groups that have pushed its approach to gender medicine.
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The House of Lords debate on conversion therapy
On Friday 9th February 2024 Baroness Burt’s Private Member's Bill proposing a ban on "conversion therapy" was debated in the House of Lords. Twenty-nine peers spoke against it and fifteen in favour. Some important arguments were heard in Parliament for the first time.
21st February 2024
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Women’s services: a sector silenced
This report by Matilda Gosling and Sex Matters examines the effects of gender-identity beliefs on the women’s sector, based on interviews with leaders of organisations providing services to women who have experienced male violence.
Read the summary version -
Women’s services: a sector silenced – summary report
A summary of our report examining the effects of gender-identity beliefs on the women’s sector, including the results of an independent poll in January 2024, asking if the British public supports the provision of female-only services for women. (Read the full report.)
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The Istanbul Convention and sex-based rights
A two-page summary of our shadow report Sex and the law in the UK. Read the full report.
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Sex and the law in the UK
Shadow report on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention)
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Policy proposal: Legislation to ban modern conversion therapy
Any law to ban conversion therapy should seek to solve problems that exist today, not symbolically fight the battles of yesterday.
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Making the Equality Act clear – the story so far
This is the story so far, but it is just the beginning. The next stage in the campaign is to get the government to take action before the election, and get more people to stand up and say “I support single-sex services”. Will you be part of it?
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Keeping children safe as girls and boys in education
The first review of the UK's legal framework on sex and gender in education shows that thousands of schools and colleges in England are in danger of breaching legal requirements due to lack of government guidance and faulty existing guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
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Sex Matters poll results as graphics (for printing)
A six-page graphical summary of the figures from our poll: a nationally representative sample of over-18s, polled online on 15th May 2023 by PeoplePolling. Optimised for printing.
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Sex Matters poll results as graphics (for screen)
A six-page graphical summary of the figures from our poll: a nationally representative sample of over-18s, polled online on 15th May 2023 by PeoplePolling.
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Sex Matters poll results
Six questions about transwomen answered by a nationally representative sample of over-18s, polled online on 15th May 2023 by PeoplePolling.
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It’s time to make the Equality Act clear
This 20-page booklet explains why we have asked the government to consider clarifying the meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010, and reveals the results of our poll asking a representative sample of the UK population what they think about sex-based policies. Links to source material referenced in...
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Why social transition in schools is not possible and government guidance should say so clearly
It is not possible to treat any child as if they are a member of the opposite sex in a school environment. A clear analysis of the steps involved in social transition reveals that to do so inevitably exposes the child to unacceptable safeguarding risks and infringes other pupils’...
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Lesbians without liberty
With a foreword by Joanna Cherry, this document investigates how the UK denies freedom of association to women who love women.
Discriminating against people because of their sexual orientation is a violation of their fundamental human rights. Alongside comments from many lesbians, we explain how the law needs to... -
Freedom of belief matters
Sex Matters’ response to a call for input by the United Nations’ Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Sex and gender in schools: what government guidance needs to say
Sex Matters analyses what the Department for Education’s guidance should say, and sets out ten principles against which it should be judged.
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Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the UK
This paper, prepared by Sex Matters, considers whether the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRR Bill) is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, examines the bill’s potential adverse effects and sets out considerations for a challenge under Section 33 or Section 35 of the Scotland Act.
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Gender-questioning teenagers: puberty blockers and hormone treatment vs placebo
This technical paper adds to the literature on the treatment of gender dysphoria by using data from comparable studies on teenagers’ mental health to assess whether puberty blockers and hormone treatment are better than placebo at alleviating distress.
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The need for a joined-up approach to children with gender dysphoria
Sex Matters’ response to NHS England’s interim service specification. We call on the NHS, the DfE, Ofsted and the EHRC to develop a shared conception of what are reasonable requests for social accommodation, based on a common understanding of the Equality Act and on safeguarding.
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Why Sex Matters is calling for clarification of the Equality Act 2010 – a briefing
Sex Matters has launched a petition calling on the government to clarify that in the Equality Act 2010, “sex” means biological sex, and is not modified by the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This would protect the rights of people of both sexes, as well as people who identify as...
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Why sex matters for human rights – our organisational framework
Sex Matters’ mission is to promote clarity on sex in law and policy in order to protect everybody’s human rights. This document sets out the key human rights that are relevant, and why and how our work is guided by the promotion of human rights. (Also see our short guide...
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How can the Equal Treatment Bench Book be made fit for purpose?
The Bench Book is produced by the Judicial College for judges and magistrates in England and Wales as a guide to the needs and characteristics of the diversity of people who may come into contact with the courts. We explain why it’s not fit for purpose, and what needs...
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (full report)
Full report (133 pages): see also 30-minute read and key findings. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (key findings)
Key findings: see also full report (133 pages) and 30-minute read. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (30-minute read)
30-minute read: see also full report (133 pages) and key findings. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Briefing for conversion therapy debate
The Government has decided to introduce a law banning “gay conversion therapy’”, but following consultation decided not to introduce a law criminalising therapy in relation to “gender identity”. On Monday 13th June 2022 there will be a Westminster Hall debate where the issue will be raised again.
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Sex Matters in Sport – webinar
Developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton and sports scientist Dr Ross Tucker in a conversation moderated by Helen Joyce, author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality. Hear from two of the scientists who have done most to ensure that policy-makers consider female athletes’ interests as they consider whether to allow...
30th May 2022
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Briefing: “Conversion” therapy or just therapy?
There has been a media report that a young patient has complained to the General Medical Council about Dr Az Hakeem, accusing him of “conversion therapy”. This is Sex Matters’ brief analysis.
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Response to Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Sex Matters’ response to the government consultation, submitted on 9th May 2022. The rules for obtaining a GRC should not differ across the UK. There are serious implications to removing the medical diagnosis, reducing the qualifying period, and reducing the minimum age, and giving secrecy provisions.